What’s Next?

I really enjoy writing my interview columns. I always insist on doing them in person. I like to sit down with that person and really make a connection. You just can’t do that over the telephone and you really can’t do it if you just send them questions and they write their answers and send them back. I also like writing about my experiences at leather events, such as Mid-Atlantic Leather Weekend. One of the best compliments I ever received from a reader was when a young man came up to me during MAL’s leather cocktails and said, “I’ve never been to this event before. You always write about the fun time that you have, so I wanted to come. I’m having a great time. Thank you.” I also like to share stories about what makes a good leather titleholder or my experiences and thoughts on the leather community, rope play, puppy play, etc. My least favorite column to write is the one about coming events. They seem less personal, but they are very much needed because I want you to go out and have some experiences of your own. Here are some more leather events that are coming up in the next few months. Make plans to join the fun.

Ever want to meet folks from different LGBT clubs but with the price of gas just can’t spend your money and time running all over the Mid-Atlantic area? Have I got a deal for you! On Saturday, May 5th the DC Eagle will be hosting an “All Clubs Bar Night.” This event is not just limited to the area’s leather clubs. You will also meet folks from bear clubs, uniform clubs, LGBT sports clubs, the Imperial Court DC, and more. Sounds like a fun night to me.

Also coming up soon in Washington is DC Leather Pride scheduled for the weekend of May 10th to 13th. This annual celebration begins on Thursday, May 10th with a kick-off party at the Green Lantern where shirtless men drink free from 10 to 11 pm and men in underwear drink free from midnight until 12:30 am. On Friday, May 11th the Centaur MC will host “Jail & Bail” during bear happy hour (6 to 11 pm) at Town followed by a play party from 10 pm to 2 am at The Crucible. Saturday, May 12th brings “Kink Du Solei Expo” to the DC Eagle from 1 to 6 pm. This afternoon will include demos and information from local organizations. On Saturday evening at the DC Eagle the will be a rubber / gear social followed by the “Distrkt C Dance Party” upstairs from 10 pm to 6 am. These are just a few of the events that make up DC Leather Pride. Check their Facebook page for more details.

The Bike Stop in Philadelphia will go to the dogs on May 18th and 19th when the 3rd annual Mid-Atlantic Puppy & Handler Contest is held. The meet and greet starts on Friday at 7 pm and the contest is on Saturday. Additional details are coming soon. Visit Mid-Atlantic Puppy & Handler Weekend on Facebook for contestant applications and more information. On May 25th the Bike Stop will host a Philadelphia’s Women’s Leather Bar Night. Back here in Baltimore the ShipMates Club will be hosting a bar night on Friday, May 18th starting at 9 pm at Leon’s. On June 1st to 3rd it will be time once again to head into the woods as the Woods Campground in Lehighton, Pennsylvania, hosts their first Leather / Fetish Weekend of the season. There will be a “Leather in the Woods” party sponsored by Bears, Bikers, & Mayhem with a leather dress code strictly enforced, demos, a pool party, motorcycle run for those with bikes, a cocktail party put on by Bucks MC, a dance, and much more. Philadelphia Bootblack 2016 / Ms. Woods Leather 2013 Kim Simpson will be there bootblacking to make sure you look your best. Sounds like a fun weekend of leather in the woods. For details and reservations visit Thewoodscampground.com.

Friday, June 22nd will be another fun weekend in Philadelphia as the Promethean Guard and MAUL (Mid-Atlantic Uniform League) join forces to hold their 5th annual “An Officer & A Leatherman Weekend.” On Friday night the gang will be at Tabu for happy hour followed by an evening of bar-hopping in the gayborhood. Saturday, June 23rd the clubs will host a bar night at the Bike Stop.

Saturday, July 21st from 9 pm to 2 am brings “Evoke – Inauguration”: a queer party for those who are. This queer play party will be held at The Crucible in Washington, DC.

You will also want to mark your calendar for the weekend of August 24th to 26th as the community gathers to select Mid-Atlantic Leather Woman 2019 and Mid-Atlantic Leather Woman Bootblack 2019. This will be the tenth year for MAL-W and the third year for MAL-BB. Friday, August 24th will be the meet-and-greet at the Baltimore Eagle, Saturday will bring the contest at a location to be announced soon, and Sunday will be the victory party for the new titleholders in Asbury Park, New Jersey. This event is not just for leather women. I have gone every year and have a great time. Come out and support the hard-working Mid-Atlantic Leather Woman titleholders.

Speaking of Mid-Atlantic Leather Woman, I recently sat down with Mid-Atlantic Leather Woman 2018 Amy “Foxxy” Phillips for an interview. I can’t wait to tell you her story in the next Leather Line. That’s what’s next!

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Rodney Burger

Rodney is originally from Hagerstown, Maryland and for many years has lived in Baltimore. In April 2017, Rodney was sworn in for his 10th year as the President of the ShipMates Club of Baltimore. He has been involved in the leather community for many years, but often denies that he sold Jell-O shots at The Last Supper. He has been writing THE LEATHER LINE for the BALTIMORE OUTLOUD newspaper (Baltimoreoutloud.com.) for over fourteen years. He has produced the Mr. & Ms. Baltimore Eagle Contest and the Maryland LeatherSIR/Leatherboy Contest. In 2001 he was proud to serve as Maryland Mr. Drummer 2001. Rodney also does stand-up comedy and in 2013 was thrilled to perform at Philadelphia Leather Pride Night. He has been nominated multiple times for a Pantheon of Leather Award, was selected Leather Man of the Year in 2013 by COMMAND M.C. and by the Baltimore Leather Association of the Deaf in 2006. The 11th annual 12 Days of Christmas benefit show was dedicated to Rodney and his partner Sir Steve. He has been twice selected as ShipMate of the Year. He has judged Mr. Mid-Atlantic Leather 2015, Atlantic States LeatherSIR / Leatherboy and recently judged Mr. Eagle NYC 2018. He is delighted to be able to bring news of his beloved leather community to his readers every issue.